Living in the Heart of Tokyo

"Hey, snap out of it already."

Okudera Miki briskly walked over, pajama robe in hand, and sighed as she gently pulled Hiratsuka Shizuka's wandering hand out from the waistband of her panties.

Seriously now—what, do you keep cigarettes hidden in there or something?

"My head is killing me, Miki... Just one cigarette... If I don't get one soon, I'll die..."

Even as she grumbled, Hiratsuka Shizuka kept her eyes shut, letting Miki fiddle with her body and slip the robe onto her.

"If dying was that easy, I'd actually want to see it happen," Miki muttered with no mercy.

"I'd like to see that too~" Yukari chimed in sweetly as she carried over a steaming bowl of hangover soup.

"You kids just don't get the world of adults... Without cigarettes and beer, Japan's suicide rate would skyrocket, you know!"

Finally cracking her eyes open, Shizuka tugged her robe properly into place, covering her bare bottom, and reached for the bowl Yukino offered.

"Ahhh~ This is why every home needs at least two women who can cook..."

She took a deep sniff, savoring the milky aroma rising from the white broth.

The rich scent filled her nostrils, shot up her sinuses, and hit her brain like a soft explosion, instantly easing her miserable hangover.

"Don't talk like some old man," Miki said helplessly. Her friend's behavior, her sloppy attitude, even the fact that she wore the same outfit for ages—it all screamed 'middle-aged bachelor.'

"C'mon, it's like Nobita from Doraemon—when he grows up, he won't keep yelling for help all the time, right? Life smooths you out eventually."

Shizuka spouted nonsense like it was gospel.

"But we've never actually seen Nobita grown up, have we?"

"Exactly, so you can't prove me wrong~"

Grinning triumphantly, Shizuka raised the bowl to her lips and took a huge sip without even bothering to blow on it.

"But you know... that soup wasn't made by the 'women of the house'—Kyousuke brought it over when he stopped by this afternoon," Miki said, her smile widening.

"Pfft—cough! Cough!"

"Careful." Yukari gently patted Shizuka's back, handing her a tissue with a small smile.

"Wait, wait, wait! Are you telling me that brat snuck into my house while I was passed out drunk!?"

Even though she clutched the tissue, Shizuka didn't bother wiping her mouth.

Instead, she stuck out her little pink tongue and shamelessly licked the white broth off her lips.

"Shizuka-chan... has your memory gotten this bad? The first time you met Hojou, you were dead drunk and we practically carried you home. Since then... let's see..."

Miki raised a finger and started counting.

"Once at that yakitori place in Monzen-Nakacho, once at the Washoku restaurant in Komagome, and once more at Hiroki in Setagaya..."

"Enough, enough! I get it! I know I'm a hopeless drunk!"

Shizuka threw up her hands and shouted, giving up completely.

She drained the soup in one gulp and bolted for the bathroom like she was fleeing a crime scene.

"This woman really needs to find herself a man soon..." Miki sighed, shaking her head.

Yukari smiled softly, but said nothing. As Shizuka disappeared into the bathroom, she turned to Miki.

"Miki, are you coming with me to Ruyi Dorm later?"

"Ruyi Dorm?"

Miki blinked, then quickly caught on.

Tomorrow was the day Kyousuke would attend the Honya Taisho award ceremony—and today, they were deciding who'd accompany him.

With a quiet chuckle, she shook her head.

"I'll pass on that circus."

"As expected from our considerate big sister. Kyousuke-kun would be touched if he knew." Yukari smiled gently, not pressing the matter.

"After all, mature women are always the most charming, right~?"

Miki giggled as her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Not long ago, when Kyousuke brought a couple of his mystery club friends to her restaurant, their club president had mentioned wanting to host a private party.

Naturally, such an event would need female guests—and as the woman most familiar with Kyousuke's social circle, Miki would be the obvious first choice.

Instead of fighting for an impossible spot at tomorrow's award ceremony, it made more sense to quietly wait for her own opportunity.

When that time came, she'd show everyone the perfect woman who could light up a banquet hall and run a kitchen.

"True."

Yukari nodded deeply in agreement.

She might simply be too soft-hearted by nature, but in a way, that could also be called "thoughtful."

"Want me to tell Kyousuke-kun for you?" she asked.

"I'll tell him myself."

"Alright then~"

"What's all this 'alright then' about?"

Soaked from the bathroom and hair dripping, Hiratsuka Shizuka trudged back into the room.

"We were just talking about heading back to Ruyi Dorm tonight. You've never been there, have you?" Miki asked.

"Ruyi Dorm...?"

Shizuka repeated the familiar-sounding name.

"That's where Kyousuke-kun lives," Yukari explained.

"Ugh, Yukari, no matter how many times I hear you call him that, I still can't get used to it! You should just call him 'brat' like I do! You are his teacher, you know!"

Shizuka grumbled.

What teacher used honorifics with a student? What was next—bowing in the hallways?

Yukari and Miki exchanged weary looks, both feeling the same exhaustion.

Yukari suddenly remembered the time she visited Eriri's room and accidentally saw one of her manga.

On the cover was a curvy, mature woman shouting "You damn brat!" or "Your brain's smaller than my boobs!" or "How dare you!"... all the kind of lines that made Yukari's face heat up just thinking about it.

Meanwhile, the boy she yelled at—shorter than her by a head—was... well...

No, no. In her bond with Kyousuke-kun, she was the one relying on him, seeking help.

Calling him "Kyousuke-kun" wasn't just about respect—it represented their shared past.

The days she treated him like a god, wondering what kind he might be...

The times he fed her with his own hands, wiped away her tears...

"Such beautiful eyes shouldn't be used for crying, you know."

When he said that, she had simply let him wipe away her tears, staring up at him and thinking: Kyousuke-kun... I can't do that...

If she followed Shizuka's advice, would she have to scold him like this?

"Brat, show some respect! I'm your teacher!"

No way. That path led straight to becoming a lonely adult woman drowning in booze and cigarettes. Absolutely not.

"Shizuka-chan... you just don't get it."

A gentle smile bloomed on Yukari's face.

"Eek—Miki, look at Yukino's expression! What the heck is that!?"

Seeing the strange smile on Yukino's face, Shizuka tried to drag Miki into her indignation—but when she turned, she saw Miki wearing the exact same smile.

"Wha—You too!?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka grumbled as she set down her bowl, then casually reached for a dorayaki sitting on the table and took a bite.

"This is from that kid too?"

"Yep. Why? Don't tell me after drinking Hojou's hangover soup, you've completely lost any guilt about eating his snacks too?" Okudera Miki teased with a grin.

"Tch. I'm his respected teacher. It's only natural for him to show me proper gratitude," Hiratsuka replied, chomping down fiercely on the snack.

The rich chestnut cream mixed perfectly with the soft, fluffy pancake, sending waves of bliss to her taste buds with every chew.

"Ahh... as expected, a woman should really indulge in these sweet, soft treats," she murmured happily, eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

"Eh? Weren't you claiming to be a composed and mature career woman just a minute ago?" Okudera Miki ruthlessly poked fun at her.

"A woman's true charm lies in never letting anyone figure out what she's really thinking. You've still got a lot to learn about that, little Miki!" Hiratsuka declared proudly, shaking her head in mock wisdom.

But the moment the words left her mouth, she couldn't help but burst into laughter herself.

Who was she kidding? Even if she said this to one of her high school students, they'd just roll their eyes and reply, 'Hiratsuka-sensei, maybe you should fix your own personal problems before teaching us about being women.'

Tch.

Not that she was thinking of that particular girl from Class 1-J—Yukinoshita Yukino—who never held back when speaking to her teachers.

But as a dedicated educator, she would still give Yukino all the love and guidance a teacher should provide.

Speaking of Yukinoshita Yukino... that made her think of another Yukinoshita.

"By the way, where's Haruno?" she asked, frowning.

Normally at these gatherings, Haruno-chan would sleep in just as late as she did. But today, she'd vanished early without a trace.

"She's probably off enjoying her rosy, carefree college life like any proper young woman should~" Okudera Miki said playfully as she brought a bowl of hangover soup to her lips, sipping it slowly.

Come to think of it, she was the one who had taught Kyousuke how to make this soup.

The recipe was simple: leftover rice water mixed with milk.

The milk coated the stomach lining to reduce alcohol absorption, and the aroma of the rice helped to stimulate the appetite.

But now, tasting Kyousuke's version... it was on a completely different level.

As expected of the man I like, she thought, grinning to herself.

"Damn that girl! Damn that college student!" Hiratsuka suddenly burst out, her mind filling with images of Haruno surrounded by handsome young men at university, jealousy bubbling in her heart.

"Wait, hold on—aren't we all at the same school? Where's the 'rosy' part in Ochanomizu Women's University supposed to come from? Unless... is she hanging around the high school division?" Hiratsuka frowned as the thought struck her.

"Who said it has to be men to make life rosy?" Yukari teased with a sly smile.

"Wha—w-women?!" Hiratsuka's mouth dropped open in shock.

"No way, no way—I've got to call Haruno right now!" she said, instinctively reaching into her pocket, only to remember she was still wearing her soft flannel pajamas.

Her hand slid inside the fabric, brushing against her smooth skin.

Wow... this feels pretty nice. As expected of me~

One stroke. Two strokes. She absentmindedly ran her hand along her slim but firm waist as if scratching an itch.

"Cough, cough... Shizuka, you sure seem to be enjoying yourself there," Okudera Miki said dryly.

"Ahem! Yukari, lend me your phone!" Hiratsuka yelped, blushing furiously as she yanked her hand away.

"Eh? You're really calling her?" Yukari asked, surprised. She glanced at the time to make sure it wasn't class hours, then handed her phone over.

"Hello you've reach Yukinoshita Haruno, may I know who is this?"

The call connected quickly—but the voice on the other end made Hiratsuka blink in confusion and double-check the name on the screen.

"Haruno? What's with the serious tone?"

Since when did she sound this proper? Hiratsuka wondered, puzzled.

Every time she called Haruno in the past, the girl would always pick up with a cheerful "Moshi moshi~", pretending to mistake her for some random telemarketer even though her name clearly showed on the screen.

But now... Haruno was greeting her plainly, asking what she wanted like a perfectly well-behaved lady.

Meanwhile, in the first-class lounge at Haneda Airport, Yukinoshita Haruno held her phone with one hand to her ear, the other delicately covering the receiver—a classic pose of refined Japanese women when taking private calls.

Hearing Hiratsuka's familiar voice, she nodded politely to the elegantly dressed woman in a green kimono seated opposite her—her own mother—smiling with grace as she stood and walked away to find a quieter corner to talk.

Even as she moved, Haruno could feel her mother's sharp gaze piercing her back, forcing her to suppress the urge to run and instead walk in elegant, tiny steps.

"Aaahhh~~"

The moment she was out of sight, Haruno let out a loud, dramatic sigh.

"Finally... I can breathe properly again. I thought I was going to suffocate to death."

Hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked in surprise.

"Wait... don't tell me... you're with your mother right now?"

"Of course. Who else could make me feel like I'm dying just by sitting there?" Haruno replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

On Hiratsuka's end, Yukari and Okudera both nodded in understanding.

It made sense.

Usually, Haruno was the one who made other people feel suffocated—only her terrifying mother could turn the tables on her.

"But wait... shouldn't you be in class right now?" Hiratsuka asked, confused.

Was Haruno's mother planning to donate an entire dormitory building to Ochanomizu Women's University or something?

"Ahh... that's because~"

Haruno stood by the enormous glass windows of the airport, watching the planes taxiing and lifting off.

Her chest felt tight.

She had to admit—even small Shizuka had a strange talent for making people feel suffocated.

She hadn't felt this heavy until that question hit. And no, it was not because of her big chest, thank you very much!

"I took the day off. I've got a formal banquet with Mother in Osaka tonight," she said breezily, as if getting to skip school for a party was a delightful privilege.

"..."

Hiratsuka fell silent for two whole seconds. All thoughts of rosy campus life vanished from her mind.

"I see... Well, are you feeling okay? You drank quite a lot last night, didn't you?"

That was all she could say.

There was no point lecturing Haruno about proper student behavior. It would only insult her.

"Don't worry, don't worry. I'm totally fine. I'm not weak like you, Shizuka. I never get drunk~" Haruno's usual smug voice came through the receiver.

Hiratsuka couldn't even muster a comeback.

"Just... don't drink too much tonight," she muttered weakly.

"Hahaha! Come on, Shizuka, this is a high-class banquet! Politicians, CEOs, the works! All the drinks will be top-shelf—what else am I supposed to do there except drink my fill to make it worth my while?"

"You idiot... I like you better when you act all prim and proper in front of your mother."

"Eh? That's so mean, ShizukaShizuka~" Haruno sang teasingly.

"Ugh! Gross!"

"Don't you mean super gross gross?"

"Ugh, stop—just shut up! Bye! See you next time!" Hiratsuka practically shouted before hanging up.

Hiratsuka Shizuka shuddered as that sickeningly sweet voice came through the receiver.

Without hesitation, she jabbed her finger at the "end call" button.

The screen went dark.

For a long moment, the three drinking buddies of Yukinoshita Haruno sat in silence, staring at the phone.

...Was Haruno really feeling fine?

Of all people, Shizuka had the most right to question that.

Even after getting five more hours of sleep than Haruno and drinking the hangover soup Hojo had made, her own head was still faintly throbbing.

No way. Impossible.

Was Haruno truly someone who never got drunk?

Yukari, who had listened to the entire speakerphone conversation with Hojo Kyousuke last night, knew the answer better than anyone.

After all, Haruno hadn't even realized her phone was on speaker.

Definitely impossible.

And was Haruno actually enjoying this so-called "high-class banquet"? Come on—even a normal person could tell from that call.

Accompanying her terrifyingly oppressive mother to a stiff, suffocating corporate party? That was about as far from a "rosy, carefree college life" as it could get.

Finally, Okudera Miki broke the heavy silence.

"Yukari, you mentioned earlier that Haruno's little sister would be going to the Ruyi Dorm today for club activities?"

"Ah, yes. Actually, she stayed over there last night," Yukino nodded, her expression softening.

Kyousuke-kun had told her this when he came by earlier. Honestly, that man always made her feel so reassured.

Even though Yukino herself hadn't said a word, he'd still asked if she wanted him to change the club's location today—worried she might feel uncomfortable because of Yukinoshita Yukino's presence.

He never even considered Yukinoshita's feelings.

His thoughts were entirely on hers.

What a thoughtful person... That's why she'd already made up her mind to move into the Ruyi Dorm.

So why should she care what people at school said about any rumors linking her and Kyousuke-kun?

Hmm... Actually... If there were rumors... that might not be so bad either~

Yukinoshita Yukino? Club activities?

Shizuka tilted her head, utterly confused.

How did Yukino even get herself a proper request without my help? And by the sound of it, she's doing just fine.

She even stayed overnight at someone else's house? Is that really the same girl with that hopelessly awkward personality? Has she already been "fixed"?

A jumble of questions swirled in Hiratsuka's mind before condensing into a single, burning thought:

Why in the world is the club activity taking place at Hojou Kyousuke's house?! And why did Yukino stay there overnight?!

...No, wait—that's not the point.

She shook her head, trying to clear away the chaotic thoughts.

What she really wanted to say was this: just how wildly different the two sisters' lives were.

The older sister, still dragging herself out of bed with a pounding hangover just to keep up appearances at university.

Not because of self-discipline—no, she wasn't sure about that—but because it was her duty as the heir of the Yukinoshita family.

No matter how awful she felt, one phone call from her mother meant she had to slap on a mask, board a plane to Osaka, and attend some meaningless, suffocating social event.

She couldn't escape it. She had no choice. It was her burden to bear.

The younger sister, on the other hand... sure, Yukino had a personality problem, but she could attend school at ease, focus on her studies, and even enjoy pleasant club activities after class.

It wasn't their fault.

This was all the result of their family environment.

As an outsider, Hiratsuka Shizuka had no right to judge. But she still remembered what Yukino had told her the day she asked to start the Service Club.

"My dream is to inherit my father's business."

Yukino-chan... If you saw this side of Haruno—if you truly understood what it meant to "inherit"—would you still want to follow in your father's footsteps?

As she imagined Haruno boarding a plane with a churning, queasy stomach, Hiratsuka sincerely hoped that girl really could hold her liquor.

Otherwise, puking her guts out mid-flight would surely be seen as "disgracing the Yukinoshita name."

At that moment, Yukino Yukari was thinking the exact same thing. In her mind, she replayed what Kyousuke-kun had said to Haruno just last night:

"Next time you need to drink, bring Yukinoshita Yukino along. Have her educate them about how awful forcing drinks on others is—or better yet, help them quit entirely. Let them experience the horror of 'absolute justice' firsthand."

Hehe... Kyousuke-kun really is like a god. He always has a way.

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